Video: Simulating shallow depth of field

You know the cameras that we have inside of our mobile devices today are really amazing, and I can remember a time when we just didn't have that type of power with us at all times. We had to carry camera bags, and equipment and all that kind of stuff. And really now we have such a powerful camera, but it's still rather limited in what it can do, because of the fact that it's just a small compact camera, there's no way to create sort of shallow Depth of Field or anything like that with it. But luckily inside of Instagram we have the ability to simulate things like Depth of Field by using some of the Blur Effects that are available to us.

With the Instagram mobile app and photo-sharing service, you can use your Android or iOS device to snap a photo, apply creative filter effects, and then share it with millions of Instagram users—and on Facebook and Twitter, too. In this course, Justin Seeley details the ins and outs of the Instagram app and sharing service. The course contains tips on shooting photos using the Instagram app and also describes how to edit and enhance photos taken with Instagram or imported from another app.

Justin then details the process of posting photos to Instagram and adding descriptive tags, captions, and location information. The final chapter offers insights on building a community of followers and on enhancing your Instagram experience with additional apps and services.

Simulating shallow depth of field

You know the cameras that we have inside of our mobile devices today arereally amazing, and I can remember a time when we just didn't have that typeof power with us at all times. We had to carry camera bags, and equipment and allthat kind of stuff.And really now we have such a powerful camera, but it's still rather limitedin what it can do, because of the fact that it's just a small compact camera,there's no way to create sort of shallow Depth of Field or anything like that with it.But luckily inside of Instagram we have the ability to simulate things likeDepth of Field by using some of the Blur Effects that are available to us.

And so I have this photo that I have been working with here. This is a shot thatI took in the cafe, and so inside of the cafe we have these nice little things onthe table and I took a picture of one and I have applied an effect to it and soI'm ready to sort of add a finishing touch to it.I think this photo could really use like shallow Depth of Field, because Iwant the background to be blurry, I want the foreground to be really sharp and in focus.So in order to do that I'm going to tap on this little Water Drop up here--which signifies the Blurs-- and we don't want to use the box blur, we want touse this circular blur.When I choose this circular blur, you are going to notice that a lot of stuffblurs out and then a little circle in the middle is in focus.

Now I have the ability to choose what is in focus by tapping with my fingers.So if I want the top area here to be the main focal point of the image, I tapthere and you notice it comes in focus.If I want something on a side to be in focus, I could like that and that comes in focus.I could even focus selectively on different parts of the image and blur out theforeground entirely.So something like may be the chair in the background, or a window, or thefountain in the background, whatever it might be that I wanted to keep in focus,I tap on it to keep it in focus and the rest of the image completely blurs away.

So in this case, I think I am just going to focus on the center portion of thisobject that I've taken a photo of, and once I do that it comes in focus nicely;everything else blurs out and it really adds sort of a finishing touch, almostlike a dreamy atmosphere to this photo and I am pretty happy with that.And so as you continue to explore the Instagram application and you start takingphotos, play around with this Blur Setting here to really add some depth and addsome intrigue to your photos.It can really take an ordinary photo to that next level to be worthy ofshowing it on the Internet, or maybe even getting it printed later on down theroad as well.

Learn by watching, listening, and doing, Exercise files are the same files the author uses in the course, so you can download them and follow along Premium memberships include access to all exercise files in the library.

Already a member ?

Learn by watching, listening, and doing! Exercise files are the same files the author uses in the course, so you can download them and follow along. Exercise files are available with all Premium memberships.
Learn more

Upgrade to our Annual Premium Membership today and get even more value from your lynda.com subscription:

“In a way, I feel like you are rooting for me. Like you are really invested in my experience, and want me to get as much out of these courses as possible this is the best place to start on your journey to learning new material.”— Nadine H.

Thanks for signing up.

We’ll send you a confirmation email shortly.

Sign up and receive emails about lynda.com and our online training library:

new course releases

newsletter

general communications

special notices

Here’s our privacy policy with more details about how we handle your information.

Keep up with news, tips, and latest courses with emails from lynda.com.

Sign up and receive emails about lynda.com and our online training library:

new course releases

newsletter

general communications

special notices

Here’s our privacy policy with more details about how we handle your information.